REID Mildred Isabel

Mildred Isabel Reid was born in Kensington, London in 1886, the daughter of John Maitland Reid and his wife Isabel. In 1891 John and Isabel were residing at 12 Vicarage gardens, Kensington with their daughters Ethel and Mildred and sons Arthur and John along with 4 female servants. John was a Barrister at Law. The family were still living at the same address in 1901 but with only 2 female servants and Arthur and John absent from the house when the census was taken. By 1911 John had retired as a barrister and wife Isabel, daughter Mildred and son John had moved to Fountain Mead, Charmouth, Dorset.

In May 1915 Mildred joined the British Red Cross as a VAD Nurse, working full time at No 1 War Hospital in Exeter, Devon. Her VAD index card records her permanent address as Wilds Hotel, Charmouth Dorset and her next of kin as Mrs Reid. The card also records her date of termination with the Red Cross as May 1918 although this may possibly be incorrect as The British Journal of Nursing, 28th December 1918 carries the following obituary for Mildred Reid:
We regret to record the death in a nursing home in Hampstead on December 10th, of Miss Mildred Isabel Reid, a V.A.D., who, since the early days of the war, has worked steadily and devotedly. She died of acute septicaemia, due to an infection in her face, contracted while at work in a War hospital at Exeter. A Sister who had her loyal co-operation for nine months, writes: “I thank God for her.”

Probate was granted in 1919:
Reid Mildred Isabel of Charmouth Dorsetshire spinster died 10 December 1918 at 10 Rosslyn Hill Hampstead Middlesex Probate London 29 March to Ethel Mary Kennedy (wife of the Reverend John Kennedy) and Arthur Beatson Reid esquire. Effects £4262 14s 10d.

Mildred is not commemorated as a casualty of war by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Her name is listed as Mildred J. Reid on a panel on Charmouth War Memorial, Dorset.

Charmouth War Memorial. Photo courtesy & copyright of Dan Phelan

Mildred Reid, Charmouth War Memorial. Photo courtesy & copyright of Dan Phelan